Drone Gaming: what to expect

Drones have gained popularity worldwide over the last 24 months, with the industry expected to be worth approximately $5.6 billion by 2020, according to a Markets and Markets report. There will be a 32% annual growth, according to the report. Many industries are now looking at leveraging the technology, particularly the gaming sector eyeing the use of drones with the help of mobile devices.

The gaming industry expects plenty of new changes, as innovative platforms and technologies are being launched year-on-year. Apart from drones, we’ve seen how virtual reality (VR) has greatly influenced the sector. Mobile devices have also seen greatly affecting the gaming domain, as even games that were once only available in physical form are now available on digital formats. Board and card games now have apps, while machine games have been now into online games, such as Slingo, which can now be accessed via mobile devices and on PCs. Smartphones and tablets have played an important role in drone gaming, too.

And in the drone sector, the world’s first smartphone-controlled gaming drone successfully reached its funding goal last year. Created by German company TobyRich, the Kickstarter project reached €102,003 (about $115,000) in funding due to 587 backers. The drone will be powered by a smartphone with gaming joysticks on the screen. Through its supported free Android or iOS app, gamers will be able to engage in single and multiplayer dogfights, air races and stunts no matter what the setting. It will be able to augment reality through actual camera feeds from the drone, giving users a host of games to tackle.

Additionally, it looks like Drone Racing could well be the next big thing in gaming. The idea involves cameras mounted on drones to give players a first-person view into an impressive high-speed race, reminiscent of “Star Wars” pod racing. Experts are hopeful the engaging, virtual, and realistic gaming experience can reel more players in.

“It’s early days, but we have been seeing a lot of demand for investment in this industry (drone gaming),” said Andrew Chanin, CEO of PureFunds.

Drone racing from league IDRA is set to air on ESPN3 this summer, while another group, the Drone Racing League, announced in January that it raised $8 million in funding, including investment from Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’s venture-capital firm RSE Ventures. Other investors included Hearst Ventures, CAA Ventures and Muse lead singer Matthew Bellamy, according to a Jan. 21 SEC filing.